2024 End of Year Update
the Kitsap Tourism Coalition in 2024
Love Kitsap represents a fresh, unified effort to bring out the best in our communities and share them with the world. We are committed to fostering a deep connection between visitors and the authentic experiences that make Kitsap so special. We are committed to dedicating our time & resources exclusively to tourism.
To ensure we make the most of our LTAC funding, we operate with minimal overhead. This allows us to allocate as much funding as possible towards creating impactful marketing and PR assets, which in turn boosts Kitsap’s overall tourism economy.
✔️ Launched the Love Kitsap Website – A go-to resource for visitors and locals alike.
✔️ Developed a Stakeholder Photo Library – Now housing 3,000+ high-quality images.
✔️ Invested in Print & Digital Ads – Targeting audiences 50+ miles away to drive tourism.
✔️ Introduced the ‘Secret Summer’ Article Series – A collaboration with local community leaders.
✔️ Created the Digital Exploration Guide – ExploreKitsap.org simplifies trip planning.
✔️ Brought Our Vision to PBS – Resulting in the production of Northwest Explorers.
✔️ Secured a Prime Banner Placement in the Port of Seattle – Positioned at the International Terminal, greeting arriving travelers.
✔️ Earned Local Media Coverage – Showcasing Kitsap’s vibrant communities.
✔️ Supported Visitor Centers – In Bainbridge, Kingston, Poulsbo, and South Kitsap.
✔️ Amplified Local Events & Festivals – Strengthening Kitsap’s cultural presence.
✔️ Launched Interactive Maps – Making navigation easier for travelers.
✔️ Published Kitsap’s Holiday Gift Guide – Promoting local businesses.
✔️ Debuted ‘Tails & Trails’ – A pet-friendly guide to outdoor adventures. ✔️ Created & promoted ‘Event Guides’ for several annual events including Viking Fest, Mosquito Fleet Fest, Pirate Fest and more.
digital marketing
During Q1 we (quickly!) built a robust site showcasing each area of Kitsap individually as well as seasonal features, making it simple for visitors to find the resources they need based on the time of year they plan to visit or the area of Kitsap they are interested in exploring. Then, we turned around and built a second website! Our second website, a digital exploration guide - the only one if its kind in Kitsap - is the perfect complement to the work on Love Kitsap.
In Q2 + Q3 we focused on attending over 40+ events and activities so we could visually tell the stories behind these amazing Kitsap centric experiences. We launched an original series with local guides sharing their adventure secrets, called Secret Summer. We partnered with the Port of Bremerton to promote the Port Orchard and Bremerton waterfront areas to tourists aboard American Cruise Ships and launched several local event guides, helping locals and visitors alike, make the best of our unique event experiences.
In May, we partnered with Maritime WA to organize and produce a series of Story Sailings with local writer Josh Farley. Hundreds of visitors to the Mosquito Fleet Festival had the opportunity to sail aboard the historic museum ‘Carlisle II’ and hear interesting historical facts and stories through Josh’s epic storytelling lens.
We also launched a series of ‘Stay’ features, highlighting over 30 local hotels and airbnbs.
In Q4 we launched a TV series in partnership with PBS promoting Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, with plans to film the additional cities in 2025.
We published our Kitsap Gift Guide featuring over 150+ local businesses!
1. website #1 - Love Kitsap
Website Engagement
30+ original articles written+published
11 Guides written+published
In our first full year as a tourism marketing organization, we are BEYOND pleased that our website engagement exceeded our expectations and reached thousands each month! Love Kitsap has quickly become a valued resource for locals and visitors alike.
2. Website #2 - Explore Kitsap
Kitsap’s ONLY Exploration Guide!
10K+ views in only FOUR months!
In Q3 we launched our 2nd website of 2024 - explorekitsap.org - the perfect companion to Love Kitsap inspires and informs visitors and locals alike with a single-page, long-scroll format.
Explore Kitsap is the ONLY digital visitor’s Guide for the Kitsap Peninsula. This site has engaged over 10K+ page views since August 2024 - just FOUR MONTHS!
A printed version is planned for 2025!
Special Note: Our website SEO and keyword search efforts have both of our websites ranking consistently in the top positions in Google searches. we’re proud that In just one year, both of our websites have reached the #1 and #2 spots in search results, outperforming many other notable sites.
3. PBS Tv series!
Our most impressive ‘guide’ in 2024 is actually an entire series of guides - a pilot TV series in partnership with Cascade PBS!
We are EXTREMELY proud of our brand new partnership with Cascade PBS called the ‘Northwest Explorers’ series. Our team pitched the idea and assisted the team at PBS in writing, creating, and guiding the production team through each area of Kitsap.
Season 1: Bremerton + Bainbridge Island published in Q4
Up Next: Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Kingston, Port Gamble, Olalla, Hansville and MORE!
4. Event Guides
Published guides in 2024
We publish new guides & articles supporting events + local businesses every month! In 2024 we published 30+ new guides and articles! Click the link to see our 👉👉👉 2024 Holiday Guide, one of our many helpful guides for exploring Kitsap.
Additionally, the KTC created a series of articles in partnership with the Port of Bremerton to support cruise ship passengers spending limited time in Bremerton & Port Orchard. Click the link below to read one of those articles: Explore Bremerton in 2 Hours.
A few more guides…
5. Our Gift guide!
Kitsap Local 2024 Gift Guide
Featuring over 150+ unique local brands and shops, this in-depth webpage is promoted enthusiastically throughout the holiday season, as well as available for shopping inspiration all year long.
6. Guide to summers live music
In the summer, outdoor live music is everywhere! In May we launched an article and event calendar highlighting each areas summer concert series to help both locals and visitors easily get outside and experience Kitsap and our live music talents in the glow of the golden hour.
7. story sails
A partnership with Maritime WA allowed us to set sail aboard the historic Carlisle II with the one and only Josh Farley in a guided tour we call ‘Story Sails’. Hundreds of visitors to the Port Orchard waterfront enjoyed sailing on the water & learning local history and lore!
8. lodging features
Matching the uniqueness of the Kitsap Peninsula are the lodging options available to visitors and staycationers. From hobbit holes to castles and chapels, hotels at the foot of the ferry terminal to tribal experiences, we’re shining a spotlight on all the options!
9. Original Articles
Secret Summer
"Secret Summer" is an exclusive article series by KTC, where community leaders and small business owners share their favorite local spots for dining, entertainment, and exploration on the Kitsap Peninsula.
2024 Highlights:
9 articles published summer 2024, with more planned for 2025
Each article includes:
A published feature
Social media posts
Story highlights
Stay tuned for more in 2025!
Tails & Trails
In Q4, we launched “Tails & Trails”, a new series that follows adventurous pups as they explore their favorite Kitsap trails with their humans.
2024 Highlights:
2 articles published in Fall 2024, with more coming in 2025.
Each article includes:
A published feature
Social media posts
Reels
Story highlights
Check it out! Watch for Tails & Trails is featured in the upcoming March/April edition of West Sound Magazine.
10. New Interactive Mapping feature
To enhance our marketing efforts, we launched a brand-new mapping feature in Q3, designed to help travelers easily find key locations across our website. This interactive tool integrates seamlessly with pages, articles, and guides, allowing users to pinpoint destinations with ease.
Each point of interest instantly connects to the user's preferred mobile map app (Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc.), providing seamless navigation.
2024 Highlights:
30 maps created in Q3 & Q4, covering a diverse range of topics, including:
Breweries & wineries
Gardens & outdoor concerts
Pet-friendly trails
Donut shops and SO. MUCH. MORE!
Explore our interactive maps as we continue to expand and enhance them, making it easier than ever for visitors to plan their next Kitsap adventure!
11. newsletters
‘Eat, Explore, Experience’
15.5K recipients
101,000 emails delivered
27.5% average open rate
18,100 total link clicks
Our ‘Eat, Explore, Experience’ newsletter delivers a curated selection of three monthly recommendations—one for dining, one for exploration, and one for a unique experience. Each edition is designed to provide subscribers with easy-to-follow adventures that align with the current season, ensuring fresh and timely inspiration every month.
12. photo + video
2024 Photo Content Library
The KTC created albums filled with media for each Kitsap Peninsula community - photographing festivals, restaurants, events + POIs.
Over 3000+ photos were captured, cataloged, and shared with stakeholders in 2024 - including 20 events, festivals, markets + parades.
We hope you’ll consider us a resource, please reach out when you need images for a project.
Over 100+ original short videos created + published in 2024 - that’s an average of 2-3 new videos per week!
13. live event coverage
In 2024 one of our main objectives was to attend and document several annual events with the goal of creating quality day-of celebrations as well as content for future marketing purposes.
The KTC team covered over 40+ events and festivals over the course of the year. Innumerable social posts, articles, guides, reels, and print ads were created from this work!
Here are just some of the events we covered:
• Poulsbo’s Julefest
• Kingston’s Pirate Fest
• Bremerton’s Bridge Blast and other July 4th festivities
• Port Orchard’s Mosquito Fleet Fest
• Poulsbo’s Viking Fest
• Bremerton’s Taste of Kitsap
• Kingston’s Wine & Brew Fest
• Poulsbrew Fest
• Kingston Farmers Market
• Bainbridge Farmers Market
• Poulsbo Farmers Market
• Bremerton Farmers Market
• Port Orchard Farmers Market
• Moonlight Market Farmers Market
• Bremerton Night Market Farmers Market
• Port Orchard Night Market Farmers Market
14. Magazine Partnership
West Sound Home & Garden Magazine
The West Sound Home & Garden Magazine has partnered with Love Kitsap! Now every issue includes an original Love Kitsap article (or two!) in both print and digital formats. We are extremely grateful for this partnership and the support of West Sound Magazine in helping us spread Love Kitsap far and wide.
15. Familiarization Trips
KTC proudly hosted journalists, writers, content creators, and influencers, helping to showcase our region to a broader audience. Here are just a few we welcomed:
Cascade PBS
NW Travel and Life
Scandinavian Influencers & Travel Writers
This is just a sample of our efforts, and we are committed to exceeding these hosted FAMs (familiarization trips) year after year!
16. Creative Support for Lodging
Contest | Developed interactive contests to promote lodging partners in Kitsap County.
17. PORT PARTNERSHIP
Port of Bremerton
In collaboration with the Port of Bremerton’s marketing team, we crafted a series of resources and itineraries aimed specifically to the day traffic in both downtown Port Orchard and Bremerton. Initially, the guests of the American Cruise Line were top of mind as tours debarked in the Bremerton Marina each week last summer. We pointed cruise line guests to shops, restaurants, and PIO’s approriate for the short length of their visit (2-4 hours).
print marketing
Print and Digital Media bookings Countywide including every area of the Kitsap Peninsula.
Sea-tac Airport Terminal (partnership with Port of Seattle)
The KTC was awarded an advertising space in the Seattle international airport terminal. A map of the peninsula with key locations and images will give travelers a sense of the possibilities that Kitsap represents.
Various iterations of county-wide advertising space, such as this one above, was designed and published with our partnerships listed in the section below.
WA State Visitors Guide (FULL PAGE AD)
Visit Seattle
1889 Magazine
Westsound magazine
IGLTA LGBTQ+ Focus Digital Ads (September-December)
FIFA World Cup!
FIFA 2026 Kitsap: Official World Cup 2026 Fan Zone
Produced the announcement video for Bremerton/Kitsap County’s designation as an Official Fan Zone for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Collaborating with community stakeholders to ensure a successful event that leaves a lasting, positive legacy for Kitsap County—celebrating soccer, community, and connection.
visitor center support
Visitor Centers are essential in welcoming and assisting travelers in Kitsap. In 2024, we allocated funds to support the Chambers’ efforts to keep them open, ensuring visitors have access to key resources.
$5,0000 | Poulsbo
$5,0000 | Port Orchard
$5,0000 | Bainbridge Island
$10,000 | Kingston
A Record-Breaking Year for Kitsap Tourism
This year, we set a new standard for visitor-focused initiatives in Kitsap County. From groundbreaking digital tools to high-impact media campaigns, we’ve accomplished more than any other tourism organization in the region’s history.
Here’s what we achieved:
✔️ Launched the Love Kitsap Website – A go-to resource for visitors and locals alike.
✔️ Developed a Stakeholder Photo Library – Now housing 3,000+ high-quality images.
✔️ Invested in Print & Digital Ads – Targeting audiences 50+ miles away to drive tourism.
✔️ Introduced the ‘Secret Summer’ Article Series – A collaboration with local community leaders.
✔️ Created the Digital Exploration Guide – ExploreKitsap.org simplifies trip planning.
✔️ Brought Our Vision to PBS – Resulting in the production of Northwest Explorers.
✔️ Secured a Prime Banner Placement in the Port of Seattle – Positioned at the International Terminal, greeting arriving travelers.
✔️ Earned Local Media Coverage – Showcasing Kitsap’s vibrant communities.
✔️ Supported Visitor Centers – In Bainbridge, Kingston, Poulsbo, and South Kitsap.
✔️ Amplified Local Events & Festivals – Strengthening Kitsap’s cultural presence.
✔️ Launched Interactive Maps – Making navigation easier for travelers.
✔️ Published Kitsap’s Holiday Gift Guide – Promoting local businesses.
✔️ Debuted ‘Tails & Trails’ – A pet-friendly guide to outdoor adventures.
What’s Next?
With an incredible first year behind us, we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for even bigger and bolder initiatives in 2025!
All the spring events, festivals, gardens, and farmers markets on the Kitsap Peninsula. Spring events and activities in Bainbridge Island, Port Gamble, Poulsbo, Kingston, Bremerton, and Port Orchard.